LSM valve spring tester

[Rick Shirey]

I just purchased an on head valve spring tester and I am finding it varying quite a bit.Reading seems to change depending on how the piece that contacts rocker arm is rotated.I am trying to square it up the best I can.Any tips? Thanks in advance.

[RJ]

I have the same tester, I get the best repeatability making sure it's centered up and the roller is 90 degrees to the rocker, but I always pull 3 times to be sure.

[5919 SSKA]

Make sure you have it shimmed correctly for your application...

[Jesse Knapp]

One of the best tools I ever bought. Mine would vary a bit, not much. Since this is a crude or awkward sort of way to perform this while the engine is in the car I found that paying much attn. to position on the rocker and pulling with both arms while in as good a position as possible gave me close results. Also, I pulled it at least three times as well. After each pull I would reposition it again on the rocker. I had the most difficulty when near the firewall (69 camaro). Mine was Jesel shaft rockers (superstock) with plenty spring pressure. Hope this helps.

[Rick Shirey]

Thanks for the input.Up till now I have been using the Moroso on head tester and decided to step up to the LSM unit.One reason was because I could not test #7cyl and some of the others I wasn't able to get a good straight pull on.This is on a modified superstock engine that I use Manley Nextex spring part#221447.The springs are suppose to have 340lbs at 2'' when new.Right now I have less than 30 runs and the springs are between 340lbs and 280lbs.Is anybody using this spring and how many runs or at what psi do you replace springs?Once again thanks in advance.

[Jesse Knapp]

I used Comp springs and their cam as well. They were 1.650 diameter. I did use the long stem valves and don't remember the installed height, but I do remember seat pressures were 350 to 360. Also, after a few passes they would "set in" a few lbs less. They would stay there for maybe forty or so passes. By then pressure would drop to around 300, but in my case this was all the valves. I would then shim them up to around 340 and go on racing. When they went down to 270/280 or so, they came out. I usually went the yr. on one set. My point to you is.......if, after 30 passes your pressures vary that far apart, either you are taking your readings wrong or you have some bad springs. And you can get a bad one from anybody. As I said, after a few passes, I checked them and they all dropped a bit, but not much. I would say about 340 from 350 or so. If I had one drop to 280 or so I'd take it out. Bad spring. I'd be willing to bet you are not comfortable with the LSM tool yet. I did have Manleys on my heads when I first bought them, and they were 1.6250 springs. Didn't work with them much. I sent the heads to Layer and went with Comp cams and springs. Recheck your springs pulling with both arms making sure, as much as possible, you do not pull slightly right or left. Believe me, you will do that in such a minor way that it's hardly detectable and it will mess with the readings. Humans are just not that exact. Hope this helps you.

[Rick Shirey]

Jesse,thanks again for your input.You are correct I am not yet comfortable with the tester but this morning I checked the springs on my bracket engine and found them to be somewhat closer together from the high to the low.Do you remember how much of a shim it took you to raise your psi to where you wanted them to be?One other issue I am having is I also purchased LSM's on head spring removal tool and cannot get all three bolts to start at the same time.I can either get the two end bolts or the center bolt to start but not all three at once.I hate to modify a brand new tool.Do you happen to have one of these and if so did you have this trouble?I have already double checked the part # on the box.Thanks again.

[Jesse Knapp]

I don't remember the shim amount off hand, been 3.5 yrs. since I sold the engine, but I have a note book somewhere with everything logged. I will find it and post the shim amounts. I had LSM's removal tool as well and never had any problems with it. Just off my head I'd say the stands are not shimmed up high enough. Is this a Jesel system? If so, a checker tool should come with the purchase of their product. Unscrew the part that sits directly on the spring retainer all the way up to allow complete clearance. Maybe their is some machining defect (bolt to shaft allignment) or maybe you have the wrong puller for your application. Who's system are you using? I wouldn't alter the tool, but I would call LSM and talk to them. I am not an expert but I did enjoy working on my stuff. I had never done any work with springs on any of my bracket engines. I had always brought the heads or the car to someone else but when I went to superstock, I became fascinated with valvetrains. So I talked to a superstocker friend and a stocker friend the does heads for a living and started maintaining my own stuff. Also worried my head off about springs and lifter life. Having said that, I am not a pro, but I will tell you what I do know, if it will help you.

[Jesse Knapp]

Looking at my notes the installed height was 2". Length of your valve and retainer thickness dictates the distance between the backside of the retainer and the spring pocket. In my case, I had the long valves, with Comps retainer, forgot the thickness of that, my shim thickness ranged from .100 to .120 on intakes, .150 to .165 on exhaust. At some point I had changed the retainers to thicker ones reducing the shim thicknesses, but can't find those notes. A good installed height mic. is necessary here. Is this a chevy engine and a smallblock? Back to the removal tool, when installing it make sure it clears the spring while sitting on the mount before bolting it up. I mentioned shim height b/c if the tool touches the spring before you bolt it, it doesn't line up right. Other than that call LSM and maybe the shaft system co. as well. Hope this helps.

[Jesse Knapp]

Looking at my notes the spring pressures were 340 to 350 max. on seat. You might give Tim Cole a call at Comp Cams. He races in superstock with a modified engine. He is very knowledgeable and really opened my eyes regarding the simple pushrod. After that, my wallet opened up wide as well. He solved a problem I had, though. Well worth it.